SPONSORED LINKS

I need to find out where oil is leaking from.

Tiny
KATSROMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 HONDA ODYSSEY
  • 19,200 MILES
I had the following replaced already: camp plug o-rings, o-ring-v-tec, v-tec o-ring, o-ring camp plug, R&R rear cam plugs, oil pan gasket removed and replaced. Cost me $500. I still have an oil leak. They say they're not sure if its the rear main seal or not. They want to change my timing belt, front crank shaft seal and water pump. They said the timing belt is covered in oil? Does this sound right? I can't afford to change timing belt and pay $500 and that doesn't even fix my problem!
SPONSORED LINKS
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 AT 10:02 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Go down to a parts store and buy a $10 leak detecting kit. It consists of a dye and a black light. Use the dye and run the engine for about 10 minutes. Then start looking for where the dye shows up with the black light.
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 AT 10:10 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
And yes, a timing belt being oil soaked is a bad thing and could happen.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 AT 10:11 PM
Tiny
KATSROMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you for your quick response. The shop who did the previous repairs said they used the dye with the black light. Is there some reason they wouldn't be able to tell where it's leaking from? Is it that difficult to see if it's from the rear main seal?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 AT 10:16 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
A leak from the rear main can be misidentified as a leaking head or valve cover gasket. It can't be directly seen.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 AT 10:24 PM
Tiny
KATSROMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I really don't know what to do. I don't have the money to replace the timing belt ($500) and then if it turns out to be the rear main to pay another $600 for that! A friend gave me a bottle of something that he said I can pour in the van with the oil and it will stop the rear main from leaking. Is that a good idea to use or not?
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 AT 10:29 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Depends what it is and how bad the leak is. The timing belt is something you can do on your own and save a significant amount of money. I'd look at it to see if it really is oil soaked. You can buy a one month subscription to the same reference guides we use for less than $15.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/mitchell1eautorepair-car-repair-manuals
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 AT 11:04 PM
Tiny
KATSROMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Not that women can't do things like that, but I know nothing about cars so I'll have to leave that to the experts. :) But one last question, the o-rings and things they changed already, are those located on the front or rear of the engine?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012 AT 1:45 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
It sounds like multiple O-rings were replaced, so I'd sat both.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Friday, February 24th, 2012 AT 6:50 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Oil Leak Content

Engine Oil Leak
GUIDE
Engine Oil Leak
A car engine uses motor oil to lubricate the internal moving parts of the engine such as crankshaft, rod bearings, pistons and valve train. This oil is controlled from...
VIEW MORE

Sponsored links